¹⁸ Now the men were afraid, because they were brought to Joseph’s house; and they said, “It is because of the money that was returned in our sacks the first time that we are being brought in, so that he may ^[a]attack us and ^[b]overpower us, and take us as slaves with our donkeys.”

⁴ However, his father and mother did not know that ^(A)this was of the Lord, for He was seeking an occasion against the Philistines. And at that time the Philistines were ruling over Israel.

Worship of the Image Refused

⁸ For this reason at that time certain ^(A)Chaldeans came forward and ^[a](B)brought charges against the Jews.

^20 (A)And so they watched Him ^[a]closely, and sent spies who pretended to be righteous, in order ^(B)that they might catch Him in some statement, so that they could hand Him over to the jurisdiction and authority of ^(C)the governor.